Paintings With Soul

      IN PROCESS:  "Snuggle Bunny," 12" x 16", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting the infamous Nita (I've painted her more times than my own dog!) and her beloved bunny, $629 (when finished) to the first one asking nicely.   Inquiries  via email , please and thank you!   In process pics are on  the studio's Facebook page . I'll continue working on this one - I hope to have her finished by dinnertime!   Then it's Spring Break!! I'll be playing a little harder than usual next week but I won't stray far from the studio. And I've painted a little ahead, so i have a couple pieces I'll share on the days I'm off.   Happy Easter to all - and if you don't do Easter, find something wonderful to celebrate in it's stead!   Fondly Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    ABOVE:  "Wooley," 4" x 6", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a fuzzy warm sheep, $239 to the first one asking nicely.   BELOW: "We Three," 5" x 8", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting three sheep sporting lovely lavender wool coats, $299 to the first one asking nicely.   Or if you must, take them both for $500 and I'll cover (domestic) shipping.   Inquiries  via email , please and thank you!       Still keeping the gray winter duldrums away via playing with color. In process pics can be found on  the studio's Facebook page .   Fondly,  Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    "Baby Baa," 5" x 6", acrylics on a museum quality panel, depicting a spring-fresh lamb, $239 to the first one asking nicely.  Via email  please and thank you! SOLD.     I'm working on three sheep paintings simultaneously - this one just happened to get finished first. In process pics of my easel and these pieces can be found on  the studio's Facebook page .   Spring WILL come! Fondly,  Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    Hard to believe this time last year there was no DaVinci.    And folding laundry wasn't an aerobic exercise in swinging objects through the air outside of a certain kitten's reach. And the trash can sat undisturbed in it's cupboard, along with it's contents. And I slept with my glasses on my nightstand instead of in my sock drawer. And I could leave a sandwich on the counter without second thoughts. And close a door without it getting battered from the opposite side.   He's so darned cute!   To implement this month's desktop calendar, simply download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they ...

    "Clementine," a commissioned painted sketch, image approximately 5" x 6" roughly centered on a 9" x 12" paper, acrylics, depicting an Aussie pup. In process pics of Clem's portrait can be found on  the studio's Facebook page .       Oh boy, did it feel good to dig into the paints today! I'm off to run carpools, but will be back later tonite to play some more.   Best mental health fix ever!! Fondly,  Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    From my journal, an experiment with pan pastels, french curves, stencils, spirograph, glitter gel pens, and washi tape. I'll work further on this at tonite's grownUPs Journaling class (Orion Art Center, 6-8pm, $15 all materials supplied,  please rsvp ).     March's been a rough month. Today playing with color and sitting quietly helped. Making mandalas (spirographs) was very meditative.   What are your coping mechanisms? I'd love to hear them!   Fondly,  Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

    "Jockeying," from The Saratoga Series, 5" x 20", depicting 5 jockeys and their mounts fighting for position, acrylics on museum quality panel, $599 to the first one asking nicely. Inquiries may come  to me . Please and thank you.     Remember  the hot mess  from a couple weeks back? Well, I sweated it through and signed off on it today. Feels darned good, too!   This painting is part of a new body of work celebrating  Saratoga Race Courses' 150th Anniversary . This summer I'm ushering in the track's birthday party with a live painting session at  Spa Fine Art  on Saturday July 27th. I was honored to be invited and those of you who joined me last year know how much fun we had - so mark your calendars. Let's do it again!   There are lots of  in process pics  on the studio facebook page - you may have to scroll a bit through  the Mobile Uploads folder , as progress on thi...

    "The Stick," one of a dozen older paintings I am auctioning off and probably the very first water dog piece I created. Details on the auction are below and on  the studio's Facebook page.     I've added a dozen older favorites to an auction folder on the studio Facebook page.   These are paintings that were exbibited/on tour up until a few years ago, when they were put in storage for one reason or another. Maybe they were stored in my studio or in the back room of a gallery that has since closed, but regardless, they deserve an audience!    These are daily paintings, acrylics done on canvasboard panels, from many moons ago (2007 - 2009).   These paintings will be auctioned off  on the studio Facebook's page . Place your bid by commenting on the photo of the painting you want to adopt. Bidding will continue until 9pm EST Wednesday evening (that's March 20th).   Please note th...

Gompie and I, what seems like a gajillion years ago, on my wedding day.   When I was a child, she was my hero. As I grew up, she became one of my best friends.   Last week my grandmother, fondly known as Gompie, passed away peacefully. A testament to her generous heart, she was surrounded by the entire family during her final days.   Ironically, The Princess, who bears her name, is Gompie through and through. She loves unconditionally, forgives easily, is a fantastic listener, and isn't afraid to stand her ground despite the odds.   Now that I think about it, the boys are the same.   I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.   Thanks so much for your cards, emails, and notes of support. My family benefitted from all your well wishes.   Tomorrow, I paint! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Just a quick note to say that I'm taking a few personal days next week to pack in some quality time with my Grandma, who's health has become tenuous.   Don't forget about me, just because I'm not showing up in your mailbox each day.    Those of you who are scheduled for portraits, I will be in touch - don't worry, I'm not falling off the face of the earth. This is merely a minor disruption in the larger scheme of things.   Meanwhile, thanks for understanding.   And for your time and attention! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  Untitled and in process, 5" x 20", a hot mess.     Today was so not a good painting day. I want to bury my head in the sand and pretend it didn't happen, but I think it's important to be honest.   Occasionally I just can't make it work, no matter how hard I try. And that's how it is in the real world - some days we are off and no matter how hard we try or how frustrating it is, we can't change that.   I am not defeated, but I am retreating for the night. My brushes are cleaned, my hot mess painting is waiting patiently on my easel.   Meanwhile I am regrouping with a hot mug of tea and a good book.    Fingers and toes crossed things go better tomorrow!   If you are brave, in process pics are on  the studio facebook page.   Thanks as always for following along with my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

  "Slop," 7" x 15", depicting a field of Thoroughbred race horses nearing the first turn at Saratoga Race Track, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, $529 to the first asking nicely . Please works well.     In process pics are on  the studio facebook page.   I literally stood in the pouring rain to get this reference photo. I was seriously waterlogged, no exaggeration. We're talking plastered hair, damp undergarments and puddles INSIDE my shoes. And while I am disappointed that the painting does not convey exactly HOW wet the conditions were, I do find other redeeming qualities in the piece.   "Slop" is headed to  Spa Fine Art , my gallery in Saratoga, New York, as part of the track's impressive 150th birthday celebration this summer.   Unless you need this painting on your wall Right Now. In which case,  email me  and I'll make that happen.   Thanks as always for following along with...

    "Spotlight," 6" x 8", portrait of a young dancer, done in acrylics on museum quality panel, collection of the model.     This is Elizabeth's daughter - you remember  Elizabeth ? the one who drug me all over central Florida last week? - Well, her daughter Emilie is an accomplished and exquisite dancer. She turned out to be quite the muse as well.   While I was staying with them last week, Emilie, a freshman in high school, successfully auditioned for an apprenticeship in a professional dance troupe. She also invited me to her dance studio, where I met a few of her teammates and got to watch them perform.    Breathtaking.   Sadly, I left my camera back home. So the lovely photo inspiring this painting was provided courtesy of  Douglas Nelson Photography . I say this all the time, but please make sure you have the photographer's explicit permission to create derivative art from their work. Tha...

      FROM LEFT:  "Green Heart Tag," "Gold Star Tag," and "Green Flower Tag," each 4" square, acrylic on museum quality panel, and all being sold at auction now on  the studio Facebook page .   Bidding starts at $20US. Winning bidder responsible for shipping and handling costs.   Bid via commenting on the painting you desire. Highest bid at 10pm EST tomorrow March 3rd, 2013 is the lucky dog!   One can never have enough green in one's life!     Thanks so much for supporting my artwork! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com   PS  In process pictures of the tags are on  the studio's Facebook page .  

    Another cozy image for a winter month - guess I have napping on my mind!   Sorry for the delay in sharing the March calendar - I jetted off to Florida and neglected to add the file to my website, something I can only do from home.   I had sunshine on the brain!!!   To implement this month's desktop calendar, simply download the file  directly from my website . I've set up a couple different ways to do this, either via the photo album or a direct link.   I am by no means an expert on the variety of operating systems, so I highly recommend that if you don't know how to change your desktop wallpaper, don't email me for advice. Instead consult your computer's help files - they will be more concise, more knowledgeable and more responsive than I could ever hope to be.    I've sized this to fit a standard screen height of 768 - I realize there are lots of variables that could im...